Damien Poulain

These made me smile masks made of sweets by Damien Poulain, the liquorice lace hair is genius.
"Inspired by pagans garments and shamans’ masks – which are said to transport their wearers to a transcendent realm – the sweet masks are designed to lead this magical tribe towards another, fantastical, reality." Damien Poulain. (thank you)

Lucy Kirk

Lucy Kirk in collaboration with Pippa Toole,Chloe Hardwick and Isabel Reddington  made these big heads and then a lovely and funny film staring them.
Lucy is an illustrator and ceramicist with lovely work for you to enjoy. 

Masks and toiles

 

 

 

Today I am going to try to get my NC fashion students started on a fabric mask. I am wanting to use calico as the students all have calico toiles made and I hope to be able to put on a fashion show which is quite ghostly and mysterious using the toiles and calico masks. Here are some that I have made this week to try to inspire them.

A Catch Up I, My Students

I want to show you some of the work I have been doing with my students. This is last weeks mask, veil and headdress workshop with my NC Fashion students. I think the students did a fantastic job given the challenge of 'stuffing tights'.

Student Masks

Amazing work from my students today for the Mr Spoqui mask challenge made from brown paper. Have you made yours yet?

Mr Spoqui challenges again!

Above: Freya's Monsta

Below: Shark, above: Cat

Remember toilet rolls? Well until March 31st 2011, you can make a mask and submit it to the judgement of Mr Spoqui's discerning eye. Today despite Freya being unwell, we rose to the challenge and it was such fun! More challenges please Mr Spoqui. Thanks as ever to Deb for spreading the news. Oh! forgot to say we used the paper that they wrap bananas in in their boxes.

Good Day

Good day making Saul Steinberg inspired masks from cardboard, before students go on to paper mache and modrock ones.

Saul Steinberg's Masks

Saul Steinberg's fantastic masks.

I made some of these with my Kids a few weeks ago and I will be doing them with my students very soon so simple but wonderfully effective.

(How To) Paper Mache Masks 3

Above are some examples of students masks. The paint applied to them makes all the difference. You can varnish them to strengthen and protect them, and apply wool, feathers ect. These masks have been used in drama workshops.

(How To) Paper Mace Masks 2

Foil mask on left has been covered in .paper mache inside and out. Foil Mask on right has had mustache and nose applied. When they are dry and ready to paint first use emulsion paint to seal and to cover newsprint.

(How To) Paper Mache Masks 1

Lately I have been using foil as a base for paper mache.

It is highly mailable and thus you can shape it into big or fine shapes very easily.

A mask base is formed with six layers of foil pressed around the face to make a mold, make sure to press up around chin and into nose. you can always have a look and then re-press. At this stage you can also shape and apply horns, ears ect. Paper mache does not stick to the foil so you have to bandage it around form. With masks it is easiest to do this in two stages apply to the outside or front of the face form first, and then the inside or the back. Apply long strips of paper mache damp not too wet, to do this you need to rub between your hands, not brush on or dip paper into paste.